At least 6 hurt in Lake Vista area squirrel attacks

​There are reports of up to 6 cases where aggressive squirrels attacked people in the Lake Vista area. In one case a man was bit and has been undergoing rabies shots.

Author:
Paul Murphy

Published:
5:01 PM CDT September 13, 2017

Updated:
4:46 AM CDT September 14, 2017

NEW ORLEANS - Three squirrels have been apprehended and the number of attacks by the animals in Lake Vista may be as high as six, including one that was caught on camera.

The problem of squirrels attacking people in the Lake Vista area prompted the New Orleans Mosquito, Termite and Rodent Control to put out traps near St. Pius Catholic Church Wednesday.

At least 3 squirrels were caught in the traps.

Story continues under video

There are reports of up to 6 cases where aggressive squirrels attacked people in the Lake Vista area. In one case a man was bitten and has been undergoing rabies shots.​In another case, two parishioners were attacked in the parking lot of St. Pius X Catholic Church.​Wednesday, a video surfaced of a man filming a squirrel before the animal ran up, jumped onto his leg and proceeded to climb up the victim.

"It didn't seem like it was crazy or rabid or anything," said Ivan Horner, who along with his 90-year-old mother, was accosted by the squirrel. "It just walked real slowly and it just followed us like dogs or cats do down the lane."

Claudia Riegel of the Mosquito, Termite and Rodent Control Board said the aggressive squirrels are probably the result of people feeding them.​"I think it’s important since this was an unprovoked attack to collect some of those squirrels and send them in for testing."